Political Paranoia

[vovat]

I voted yesterday, but I guess it didn't do much good, as Chris Christie won the gubernatorial race. I'll admit I didn't do a whole lot of research going into this election, but looking at his positions on issues doesn't exactly fill me with hope. He's opposed to gay marriage, in favor of destroying the wetlands, and apparently favors parents in

Comments

[dragonxbait]

Tom and I have had this discussion as well, Re- the tax status of church. We give a quite healthy amount to our church (not 10%, more like 1%, but it is not insignificant) and not only does the church not pay taxes on the donation, we also get a tax deduction as an incentive to give. I guess the original idea was so that the government would not enact tax code that specifically persecutes religious groups. If they were taxed like other corporations, or taxed on their non charitable spending maybe? Our church does spend quite a bit on social justice issues such as the food pantry that we run and other local charities that we support. And I think the unitarian religious education program is outstanding (one of the big reasons we attend and choose to support the church financially) and schools are not taxed. All that said, if our church had to pay property taxes on the large plot of land on the town green in a pricey Boston suburb, there is no way we would be able to stay in business. That alone would probably close our doors. We

[vovat]

If they were taxed like other corporations, or taxed on their non charitable spending maybe?

Yeah, that sounds pretty fair.

All that said, if our church had to pay property taxes on the large plot of land on the town green in a pricey Boston suburb, there is no way we would be able to stay in business. That alone would probably close our doors.

Well, I wouldn't imagine that all churches would be taxed at the same rate, any more than businesses would.

[dragonxbait]

Also, I never ralized this until I was marrie to someone in a much higher tax bracket than I had ever inhabited, but tax deductions (like for charitable giving) benefit the wealthy more than the poor. It seems like if we want to incentivize charitable giving it would be more fair if you got x% of the donation taken off the top of your tax burden, possibly up to a certain allowable amount. The way it is now, it reduces your taxable income- which reduces your taxes by a much greater amount if you make 100k vs 30k, for the same donation amount. I kind of hate tax code.

[travspence]

I am a huge fan of the separation of church and state and I am not in favor of taxing churches. For one thing, rich churches already have too much political clout for my liking. Imagine them getting their magic underwear in a knot if they paid taxes. "We don't our tax dollars supporting blasphemous art! We don't want our tax dollars funding a congress that would allow gays to marry! We want our tax dollars to go toward building a golden city for Jesus to live in when he comes back!" It's a very bad idea, giving churches even more political leverage.

The separation of church and state has to be enforced in all directions, in my opinion. Gotta keep 'em separated. As the saying goes, keep religion out of government, schools, and work. Keep it at home, church, and in the heart.

[vovat]

Imagine them getting their magic underwear in a knot if they paid taxes. "We don't our tax dollars supporting blasphemous art! We don't want our tax dollars funding a congress that would allow gays to marry! We want our tax dollars to go toward building a golden city for Jesus to live in when he comes back!"

That's a good point, and I hadn't really thought of that. Of course, they already petition the government for those things NOW, even without paying taxes.

[yosef]

I think you're being a bit lax over homosexual marriage. Don't you realize that if that had happened in Maine, your own marriage would have been made to be on the same level as... homosexuals!!! Also, you would have been instantly divorced, because the gays are just that tricky.

[vovat]

Yes, but it all would be worth it if I got to see my wife participate in some lesbian action! :P